Penobscot Bay: Exploitation, Collapse & Now, Recovery

Karen Alexander, Bill Leavenworth, James Wilson.

Penobscot Bay lies at the midpoint of the coast, creating the confluence of northern and southern waters, with the river, a watershed.  Chellie Pingree, Maine’s 1^st District representative to Congress notes, “Our lives are so affected by so much of the watershed, up and down the river…this is a critically important region to the rest of the state.  People care deeply about the health of the Bay because our economies are built on tourism and fishing.”  The Penobscot Watershed Conference in which she took part in May had 300 conferees considering the region’s environment, industries, and climate, the Penobscot’s history and future impact upon us.  Bill Leavenworth, was a participant, looking into the history of fisheries, possible reasons for their declines and the likelihood of fisheries restoration.  He is one of the principal historians for the Fresh and Salt Water Fishery research team, under the leadership of Professor Emeritus James Wilson.  Wilson is a prominent marine biologist particularly concerned with policy and fisheries governance systems. Both experts work with Karen Alexander, also a member of the team.  A research fellow at UMA Amherst, she is an author, has worked on three or more movies about the Marine ecosystem and is completing her PhD at the University of New Hampshire.  The three university experts will present visuals for us, and a panel discussion on their findings and expectations for the Penobscot, a prime element in the current life and future of the State of Maine, its people and chief industries. Prepare your questions!